Down the Rabbit Hole #JustWriteIt #AltEnding #Wattpad10

The source of madness

Bayard was busy playing with puppies when Alice reached the back garden. All ten little dogs came forward to greet her, jumping and wagging their little tails. From his spot, Bayard commanded in a firm but kind voice: "Behave, kids. Be kind to our guest. Sit." Next, he himself came forward wagging his long tail, jumped on her placing both forepaws on her shoulders, and licked her on the face: "Alice, I'm thrilled to see you! It's been ages since the Frabjous Day!"

Alice almost lost her balance with his weight and burst out giggling with the unexpected warm greeting. "Coming back took me a little longer than I expected." Exactly thirteen years, she thought, but only added aloud: "It's wonderful to see you and your sons too. It seems time didn't pass here at all!"

Bayard laughed loudly. "Oh, you are always kind, Alice! I can feel time gnawing on my bones. These are not my sons. My sons, the ones you met, are all grown-ups now; they moved out and formed their own families. These pups are members of the Bayard Hamar's twenty-third generation," he said proudly. I'm retired, but always happy to help with their training. Young dogs need discipline!"

"I'm amazed to see how big your family grew! I'm pleased to meet you, pups". She said sitting on the grass and making a signal with her hands for them to come closer. Without second thoughts, all ten puppies were jumping on her lap, biting her shoes, and playing with her hair.

"Kids, behave!" Bayard growled. They all put their tails between their legs and threw him sad and begging glances.

Alice smiled at Bayard "It's Okay. I feel welcome." Then, she became serious and said with stern eyes: "Bayard, I need your help."

"Anything for a friend in need" he replied promptly, "that's the Bloodhound's motto."

"Hatter told me you were the King of Hearts' best friend. I learned about his horrid death and am so very sorry."

"It's true. Henry and I were like brothers," he replied with a sad expression, "the best companion a dog could dream of, always ready for adventure. I'll never forget what the Bloody Queen did to him. I just don't understand why you are bringing back this subject now."

"I'm sorry to unbury such sad memories, Bayard. It's just that I have reasons to believe that the girl for whom the king lost his head is my Aunt Imogene. And I'm afraid she is still waiting for him, after all these years."

"Oh, Imogene," he said as if transported to the past, "a kind human from the Outerland, just like you. I had the chance to meet her in person a few times while delivering the king's letters or collecting hers, though I could never talk to her." Then he added, seemingly to himself. "Something happens to us when we go to the surface. We change somehow."

"My Aunt Imogene always claimed to be engaged to a prince who would marry her, and I had always supposed her insane. Maybe you can help me to connect the dots and find out the truth." Alice told him in a voice filled with hope. "If only I could see one of those letters, I could say whether the handwriting belonged to my aunt. Do you know where the king used to store her letters?"

"Actually, I do. The king trusted me for that. He couldn't have anything at the castle. So, I kept them in a well-hidden box for him".

"Wonderful!" Alice clapped her hands once with excitement, making the pups jump and run around her. "Where are they, then?" Alice asked with hopeful eyes.

"Well, this could be a problem. As I said, I used to keep those letters well hidden. They are right here, buried somewhere. I don't recall exactly where." After saying that, Bayard turned to his grand-grandsons and proposed: "How about some scavenger hunt?"